An iconic airship has made its eagerly awaited return to the country to much fanfare.

The world-renowned Goodyear Blimp flew over parts of Kent this morning as part of its first visit to British shores in 10 years.

It was spotted making its passage from Calais over the Channel, first to the ports of Dover and Folkestone, before heading to Canterbury via the Kent Downs.

From there its voyage covered the airspace above Ashford, then Maidstone and Sevenoaks before flying north into Essex.

The famous airship is set to appear in numerous places this weekend as it travels in loops before attending an event at Brands Hatch in Dartford this weekend.

It was spotted performing its first loop earlier this morning and will repeat the feat tomorrow, before heading over London on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30.

Twitter user James McKinven captured the passage of the famous airship as it flew overhead in Kent.

Watch as Goodyear Blimp flys over Canterbury. Video: James McKinven

He tweeted: "Goodyear blimp just passed over Canterbury, that was pretty cool!"

But others were slightly less enthused about the blimp's journey through the county.

Lucie Bowins shared an image of her dog barking at the large flying object as she jokingly quipped "And don’t you fly over my house again".

The Goodyear Blimp is known internationally, after gaining fame for its aerial coverage of the most-watched events in sports and entertainment, ranging from FA Cup Finals at Wembley to Live Aid.

It is an impressive 246 feet long – or the same as almost 17 black cabs lengthways – and is packed with 297,527 cubic feet of helium.

The airship usually flies at around 1,000 to 1,500 feet in the air, and travels at a top speed of 73 miles per hour.

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